Steering-wheel.



PATENTED DEG. 10, 1907. E. P. UPTON.

v STEERING WHEEL;

APPLIUATION FILED APE-18.1907.

' awmm boz Wibnamw Edmund 3. $07070 UNIE 'STAE EDMUND F. UPTON, OF MINERAL CITY, 01110.

STEERING-THEE L.

' Application filed April 12.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDMUND citizen of the United States, residing at Mineral City, in the county of Tuscarawas and State of Ohio, have invented certain-new and useful 1m rovements in SteeringWVheels; and I do ec-lare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appert ains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to st for automobiles, boats, and si ilar uses, and it has for it s object to provide a device which can be manufactured very cheaply, and \i'hich will produce a durable and efficient structure.

In the accompanying drawings, which illusirate the invention, Figure. 1 is a plan View of a wheel embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a central cross sectional view of the same; Fig. 3 is a sectional vie taken at right angles to Fig. 2; and. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the web or ering wheels central portion of the wheel.

,ing, 1 indicates the Referring more particularly to the drawhub of the Wheel, which may be provided with any suitable means for securing it upon a rod or shaft, as the steer ingstem or handle of an automobile.

are a pluraliiy of spokes, 2, which are preferably formed from thin, ilal material with pertorations, 3, at their ends and with or without perforations, 4, intermediate their ends. The f spokes are preferably arranged diametrically oppositeeach-other with their outer ends extended, and are made substantially fanshape with their sides curved.

Secured to the outer ends of the spokes is liich is formed from vulcanized or 1 a rim, 5, hard rubber, and is given any desired shape or form in cross section, circular being preferred. The rim is secured to the ends of the spokes by providing a suitable mold or vul canizing apparatus, in which the ends of the spokes are secured and the proper amount of rubber or other suitable material is placed, and the entire outfit subjected to the roper degree of heat and ressure as to soli or harden the rim. T e material will be forced through the perforations 3 and thereby Specification oflLett-ers Patent,

bind. I

Patented Dec. 10, 1907.

1907. semi iii. 368.931.

the riniand spokes together in substantially F. UPTON, a as rigid a manner as though they were formed integral. I By constructing the spokes from thin, ilat 1 material, and arranging them fiat-wise of the plane of the wheel, they can. be constructed very light and yet possess sufficient strength i to enable them to withstand any strain that i may heplai-ed upon them when the Wheel is 5 rotated to guide the automobile, or accomplish Whatever other result is desired to be attained By curving the sides of the spokes ptlie portions that enter the rmuof the wheel 1 form shoulders which engage ith the material upon the inner side of the rim and thereby assist in holding the rim in POSiLlOll by preventing the outward movement at that point. By providing the perforations 4 as shown iii-Fig. 4, the spokes can be made still lighter without materially detracting from their strength. By constructing a wheel in this In crack, thereby securing a smooth and .uniform gripping surface for the hand of the oporator. it is also substantially a non-conl ductor of heat, and will alsoafiord a good I plurality of radiating spokescarried thereby, iSflUl spokes having enlarged flaring outer i ends, each provided mth. a series of perform 1 I able material and having the enlarged ends 5 of-the spokes embedded therein during fori [nation of the rim, the material of the rim being adapted while in the plastic state, to fill l said ierforationsfior securely anchoring the spokes within the rim, andthe moldable rim serving as the sole connection between the ends of the spokes. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set i my hand in presence of two subscribing witmesses. i EDMUND F. UPTON. i Witnesses 1 M. E. FIsHER, Jonn M. ELDER In a wheel of the type described, a hub, a v

tions, and a rim composed Wholly of mold- 

